First: WDEA ‘Socialisers’ $1000
Second: GEN U $600
Third: Carramar Crescent $400

Thursday 3^rd October 2019

The Warrnambool GRC was heaving on Thursday night for the latest in the increasingly popular TAB Great Chase series, when around 250 people from 15 south-west community groups met with their eyes on the prize.

The teams are allocated a runner in each of four races and gain points for placings, which turns into cash for the top three. Cue passionate enthusiasm and barracking at the fence and the tables…

The loudest and most enthused group is also one of the largest in the Great Chase series; the 65-strong team from WDEA ‘Socialisers’ repeated last year’s first place and took the winner’s cheque for $1000.

Jodie is the coordinator for this huge undertaking and told us the big team isn’t even at full strength.

“The Socialisers is a group of 90 to 100 people when we’re all together. We’re a social group for people of all different abilities.”

“We’ve been coming for many years, and for the past two years we’ve won the first prize, so it’s very exciting.”

“This is just brilliant. They look forward to this event every year, even if we don’t win the money.”

Catering on the night is a big Rotary Club BBQ, which also proves to be a hit. “They love the meal, they love the socialisation side of it, they love getting out and cheering on their dogs. The whole atmosphere. Being together and meeting up with friends from the different organisations; it’s a great night.”

For the Socialisers, one big social event has helped provide another big social event. “We’ll put the prize money towards our Christmas party at the end of the year. It will subsidise a lot of the night so that will be great.”